Report Card Grades for LA Lakers’ 2014 Free-Agent Signings

The Los Angeles Lakers' 2014 offseason hasn’t helped satiate a fan base obsessed with championship glory.

On the contrary, report card grades handed out to the free agents they did manage to sign are sure to leave fans wondering what the future holds.

Lakerland failed to reel in a big-name star like Carmelo Anthony. He will reportedly return to the New York Knicks, per the New York Daily News’ Frank Isola.

Since it couldn’t acquire an MVP-caliber talent to pair with Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles needed to set its sights on a second-tier free agent. The Lakers and point guard Isaiah Thomas, for instance, had mutual interest, according to Slam Magazine’s Brett Weisband.



The Washington product was seen as one of the best floor generals available. He’s set to stay in the Pacific Division, but he’ll do so with the Phoenix Suns after a sign-and-trade was completed between the desert dwellers and the Sacramento Kings.

Even retaining four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol was an option that eluded general manager Mitch Kupchak—though not for lack of trying.



According to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Gasol turned down a two-year deal from the Purple and Gold that would have paid him more than $20 million over a two-year span. Again, it’s not as if management didn’t pursue the veteran Spaniard with a noteworthy offer—he simply opted to decline it. Gasol’s poised to head for the Eastern Conference and sign with the Chicago Bulls, per ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne.

That manifestation speaks volumes about the current state of the Lakers. The appeal of a franchise with championship pedigree only goes so far. Especially when the two key players on the roster—Bryant and Steve Nash—have age and injury woes working against them.

The Lakers didn’t make any n...

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